CLIMATE RISK VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE MAJOR CROPS IN THE PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, PHILIPPINES

Assessing an area's vulnerability can serve as an effective planning tool to increase resilience to climate-related hazards. This paper provides information on the most vulnerable municipalities to climate change impacts in the province of Agusan del Norte, Philippines. The assessment included in the geospatial analysis were physical, agro-ecological, and socio-economic indicators clustered under the components of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Using MaxEnt, modelling the suitability of crops due to changes in temperature and precipitation by the year 2050 determines the crops' sensitivity. A combination of natural hazards datasets was used to estimate the extent of exposure to each municipality within the province under pressure from climate and hydro-meteorological risks. An up-to-date database from the concerned local government units for adaptive capacity indicators was clustered into seven capitals: economic, natural, human, physical, social, anticipatory, and institutional. The total CRV model for rice, corn, and banana crops revealed that the municipalities identified as highly vulnerable due to their high exposure to climate hazards, the decreasing crops' suitability to climate variability, and low adaptive capacity.

Black Sigatoka Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks

In this paper we present a methodology for the automatic recognition of black Sigatoka in commercial banana crops. This method uses a LeNet convolutional neural network to detect the progress of infection by the disease in different regions of a leaf image; using this information, we trained a decision tree in order to classify the level of infection severity. The methodology was validated with an annotated database, which was built in the process of this work and which can be compared with other state-of-the-art alternatives. The results show that the method is robust against atypical values and photometric variations.

Optimization of banana crop by-products solvent extraction for the production of bioactive compounds

The aim of this work is the optimization of phenolic compound extraction from three by-products of banana crops (rachis, discarded banana, and banana’s pseudostem pulp), as a way to valorize them through a green extraction process. The influence of the temperature and aqueous ethanol concentration (Et-OH) on extract properties (total phenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity) was firstly analyzed. 78 ℃ and ethanol concentrations close to 50% yielded the best results for the three materials. The equations obtained by the response surface methodology gave a satisfactory description of the experimental data, allowing optimizing the extraction conditions. Under optimized conditions, time influence was then assessed, although this parameter seemed not influence results. Among the three by-products, rachis extract (60% Et-OH, 78 ℃, and 30 min) presented the highest TPC (796 mg gallic acid/100 g of dried material) and antioxidant activity (6.51 mg Trolox equivalents/g of dried material), followed by discarded banana, and pseudostem pulp. Under the optimal conditions, experiments were performed at a larger scale, allowing to determine the extraction yields (EY) and to characterize the extracts. The highest EY was obtained for the rachis (26%), but the extract with the highest activity was obtained for discarded banana (50% Et-OH, 78 ℃, and 60 min), which presented a TPC of 27.26 mg/g extract corresponding to 54.59 mg Trolox equivalents/g extract. This study contributes to the valorization of banana crops residues as a source of polyphenolic compounds with bioactive functions that can be extracted under economic extraction conditions. Graphical abstract

Diverse Banana Pseudostems and Rachis Are Distinctive for Edible Carbohydrates and Lignocellulose Saccharification towards High Bioethanol Production under Chemical and Liquid Hot Water Pretreatments

Banana is a major fruit crop throughout the world with abundant lignocellulose in the pseudostem and rachis residues for biofuel production. In this study, we collected a total of 11 pseudostems and rachis samples that were originally derived from different genetic types and ecological locations of banana crops and then examined largely varied edible carbohydrates (soluble sugars, starch) and lignocellulose compositions. By performing chemical (H2SO4, NaOH) and liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatments, we also found a remarkable variation in biomass enzymatic saccharification and bioethanol production among all banana samples examined. Consequently, this study identified a desirable banana (Refen1, subgroup Pisang Awak) crop containing large amounts of edible carbohydrates and completely digestible lignocellulose, which could be combined to achieve the highest bioethanol yields of 31–38% (% dry matter), compared with previously reported ones in other bioenergy crops. Chemical analysis further indicated that the cellulose CrI and lignin G-monomer should be two major recalcitrant factors affecting biomass enzymatic saccharification in banana pseudostems and rachis. Therefore, this study not only examined rich edible carbohydrates for food in the banana pseudostems but also detected digestible lignocellulose for bioethanol production in rachis tissue, providing a strategy applicable for genetic breeding and biomass processing in banana crops.

Irrigation management strategies through the combination of fresh water and desalinated sea water for banana crops in El Hierro, Canary Islands

The current lack of natural water resources, mainly due to the absence of sufficient precipitation and the deterioration of irrigation water (IW) quality, urges to search for alternative resources, especially in arid and semiarid areas. Desalination of sea water is well established in numerous regions where water is scarce. To investigate the effects of the combination of regular fresh water and desalinated sea water (DSW) on mineral nutrient changes in crops, an experimental system based on Musa acuminata AAA plants was performed in Frontera (El Hierro, Canary Islands). Data showed that banana crops irrigated with a mixture of fresh water and DSW exhibited an adequate nutritional status and did not suffer any injuries of salt ions (Na+ and Cl−) or B toxicity. Moreover, plants may tolerate higher concentrations of these elements and a major supply of the other essential micronutrients. The obtained results suggest that irrigating crops with a combination of fresh water and DSW is a good strategy to respond to the high water requirements, at least under the tested experimental conditions. This strategy could be very helpful in arid regions, as well as in other areas where precipitation is seasonal and scarce, like the Mediterranean or the Canaries.

ANÁLISE FISIOGRÁFICA DA BACIA DO RIO MONAPO – PROVÍNCIA DE NAMPULA – MOÇAMBIQUE

Neste artigo apresenta-se uma caracterização fisiográfica da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Monapo localizada na Província de Nampula – Moçambique, objetivando contribuir com a discussão sobre os sucessivos problemas com escassez de água potável na região. Os métodos e técnicas utilizados para o desenvolvimento da presente pesquisa, foram as análises empíricas realizadas em campo em novembro de 2016, levantamento fotográfico, análise morfométrica e mapeamento do meio físico utilizando geotecnologias. De acordo com os dados avaliados a bacia hidrográfica drena uma área de 8.047 km², percorrendo o território de nove distritos de Nampula (população estimada de 1.624.924 habitantes em 2015) em terrenos cristalinos, representados em sua maioria por gnaisses e granitos. O clima apresenta características semiáridas, sendo classificado como tropical seco com precipitações anuais entre 800 mm e 1000 mm. A paisagem é dominada por cultivos arbóreos e florestas decíduas com características savânicas, entremeados por cultivos de manga, caju, mandioca, milho, arroz e banana. A morfometria da bacia indica grande potencial de preservação dos recursos naturais, com baixa susceptibilidade a erosão e inundações. Considera-se que os problemas de abastecimento de água na província devem-se mais às características pluviométricas, sobretudo à concentração das precipitações de novembro a março e ao modelo de uso da terra do que às características morfométricas da bacia. É necessário que sejam adotadas medidas que favoreçam o armazenamento e a concentração de água em reservatórios artificiais, criando um sistema de regularização da drenagem aproveitando as águas precipitadas durante o verão.Palavras-chave: Análise morfométrica. Caracterização fisiográfica. Geotecnologias.PHYSIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE WATERSHED OF MONAPO RIVER – NAMPULA PROVINCE – MOZAMBIQUEAbstract: The article presents a physiographic characterization of the watershed of Monapo River, located in Nampula Province – Mozambique, aiming to contribute to the discussion about successive problems with potable water in the region. Regarding methods and techniques it’s possible to highlight empirical analysis of the area accomplished in the field in November 2016, photographic survey, morphometric analysis and mapping of the physiography using geotechnologies. The watershed drains an area of 8.047 km², traversing the territory of nine districts of Nampula (estimated population of 1.624.924 inhabitants in 2015), in crystalline grounds, represented in its majority by gneisses and granites. The climate presents semi-arid characteristics, being characterized as dry tropical with annual rainfall between 800 mm and 1000 mm. Arboreal crops and deciduous forests with savanna characteristics, interspersed with mango, cashew, cassava, corn, rice and banana crops, dominate the landscape. The basin's morphometry indicates great potential for preserving natural resources, with low susceptibility to erosion and flooding and a greater tendency for water to infiltrate. The water supply problems in the province are due more to rainfall characteristics, especially the concentration of rainfall from November to March and to the land use model than to the morphometric characteristics of the basin. It is necessary to adopt actions that favor the storage and concentration of water in artificial reservoirs, creating a system to regulate the drainage from the precipitated waters in the summer.Keywords: Morphometric analysis. Physiographic characterization. Geotechnologies.ANÁLISIS FISIOGRÁFICA DE LA CUENCA DEL RÍO MONAPO - PROVINCIA DE NAMPULA - MOZAMBIQUEResumen: El artículo presenta una caracterización fisiográfica de la cuenca del río Monapo, ubicada en la provincia de Nampula - Mozambique, con el objetivo de contribuir a la discusión sobre los sucesivos problemas del agua potable en la región. En cuanto a métodos y técnicas, cabe destacar el análisis empírico del área realizado en campo en noviembre de 2016, levantamiento fotográfico, análisis morfométrico y mapeo de la fisiografía utilizando geotecnologías. La cuenca drena un área de 8.047 km², atravesando el territorio de nueve distritos de Nampula (población estimada de 1.624.924 habitantes en 2015), en suelos cristalinos, representados en su mayoría por gneis y granitos. El clima presenta características semiáridas, caracterizándose como tropical seco con precipitaciones anuales entre 800 mm y 1000 mm. Los cultivos arbóreos y los bosques caducifolios con características de sabana, intercalados con cultivos de mango, marañón, mandioca, maíz, arroz y banano, dominan el paisaje. La morfometría de la cuenca indica un gran potencial de conservación de los recursos naturales, con baja susceptibilidad a la erosión e inundaciones y una mayor tendencia a la infiltración del agua. Los problemas de abastecimiento de agua en la provincia se deben más a las características de las lluvias, especialmente a la concentración de las lluvias de noviembre a marzo y al modelo de uso del suelo que a las características morfométricas de la cuenca. Es necesario adoptar acciones que favorezcan el almacenamiento y concentración de agua en reservorios artificiales, creando un sistema para regular el drenaje de las aguas precipitadas en el verano.Palabras clave: Análisis morfométrico. Caracterización fisiográfica. Geotecnologías.

MODEL TO ESTIMATE NUTRITIONAL AND NON-NUTRITIONAL LIMITATIONS OF ‘PRATA-ANÃ’ BANANA CROPS GROWN IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS

ABSTRACT The obtaining of a high banana yield requires that nutrients are in adequate quantities and proportions in the plant. Therefore, the use of methods that encompass nutritional balance and equilibrium is required for a good nutritional evaluation. The objective of this work was to model and determine nutritional and non-nutritional limitations of 'Prata-Anã' banana grown in the states of Ceará (CE) and Bahia (BA), Brazil, based on nutritional balance and equilibrium. The study was developed using the databank of leaf nutrient contents and banana yields of two farms of the Sítio Barreiras company, in Missão Velha (CE) and Ponto Novo (BA), Brazil. The parcels with banana yield above the average plus 0.5 standard deviation; and parcels with banana yield below of that limit were defined as low-yield areas and were used for nutritional diagnosis. The databank was divided into four: the first with 253 samples and a reference population with banana yield above 39.81 Mg ha-1 year-1; the second with 553 samples and a low-yield population (Ceará); the third with 147 samples and a reference population with banana yield above 41.69 Mg ha-1 year-1; and the fourth with 334 samples and a low-yield population (Bahia). Yield limitations in the 'Prata-Anã' banana crops due to nutritional causes reached 13.37% in Ceará, and 12.17% in Bahia. Non-nutritional factors, such as climate and biotic factors, limited the banana crop yields by up to 28.23% in Ceará, and 50.49% in Bahia.

First Report of Banana Bunchy Top Disease on Banana in Bengkulu.

Banana is a horticulture crop that has economic value and is widely cultivated in tropical countries. Banana production in Bengkulu province reached 259,748 quintals, then durian (110,387 quintals), tangerines (94,396 quintals) (BPS 2015). Banana bunchy top disease caused by Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) infection is considered the most crucial virus disease affecting yield losses of a banana plantation in Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific. However, the incidence and molecular characters of BBTV has never been reported in Bengkulu. This research aims to characterize symptom variations, disease incidence, and disease severity of BBTV infection in Bengkulu and virus detection using molecular methods by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Disease incidence of BBTV was measured based on field symptoms. The disease survey was conducted in Bengkulu city, Bengkulu Utara district, and Rejang Lebong district. The study showed that the incidence of BBTV in Bengkulu City, Bengkulu Utara, and Rejang Lebong ranged from 0% to 100%. The most common symptoms observed in the field involved vein clearing, upturned leaf, chlorotic, and ragged margins, reducing petiole length, distance, lamina width, and stunting. Banana crops that are infected with BBTV in the vegetative phase will not produce fruit. In contrast, viral infection in the generative phase causes the formation of stunted fruit that is not suitable for harvesting. Thus, the potential loss of yield due to stunted disease can reach 100%. This study's results are the first reports of BBTV infection in banana crops in Bengkulu. Disease diagnosis will form the basis of disease control strategies in banana crops.